ITALIAN opposition parties are calling for a parallel currency to run alongside the euro which they say will boost growth and jobs in the cash-strapped country.

Beppe Grillo’s populist Five Star Movement, the nationalist Northern League and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia want the new currency introduced after elections scheduled for next year.

Their proposals replace previous calls to leave the euro completely.

Analysts say the parties is trying to appeal to anti-euro sentiment in the country while avoiding the upheaval of an outright exit.

But while some supporters say the primary goal of the new currency is to persuade Brussels to change European fiscal rules to allow them to spend more and cut taxes others hope it will help make an eventual euro exit more likely.

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The proposal is opposed by the European Commission which insist there can only be one legal tender in the eurozone.

The euro enjoyed widespread support when the euro was introduced in Italy in 1999 but over the years its popularity has declined with many blaming the single currency for lower living standards and rising unemployment.

A poll by the Winpoll agency in March showed only around half of Italians back the euro.

As the election nears, and with opinion polls currently pointing to a hung parliament, only the ruling Democratic Party is not proposing changes to the current euro set-up.

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Political leaders such as Beppo Grille want a parallel currency

Anti-Brussels sentiment has been growing in Italy in recent years with economic issues, the migrant crisis and Britain’s decision to pull out of the European Union all adding weight to calls to leave the bloc.

Matteo Salvini, Eurosceptic leader of the Northern League said he wants to see “real change” in Italy’s relationship with Brussels or warned of Brexit-style split with the bloc.

Mr Salvini’s bid to become PM could seriously threaten Italy’s continued membership of the EU.